Evening star. [volume], July 12, 1948, Page A-5, Image 5

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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hill Publicity Fanfare
Conjured Up to Open
Tardy Pepper Boom
a Staff Correspond«nt of Th« Star
PHILADELPHIA, July 12.—
Senator Pepper of Florida an
nounced his own boom for the
Democratic presidential nomina
tion last night in the deserted
Eisenhower headquarters in Wal
nut street, directly across from
the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel.
All the fanfare that modem pub
licity methods could conjure up was
brought to bear.
A score of reporters, to whom the
word had been passed, clustered
abqMt a desk in a vacant store across
the street from the Bellevue-Strat
ford, where administration leaders
were quietly working out plans for
the nomination of President Truman
on the first ballot.
A small group of Pepper admirers
cVowded into the room behind the
reporters, and in back of them came
a battery of newsreel and still cam
eramen, dragging their klieg lights
with them.
Carries Banner for Liberals.
Before Senator Pepper arrived,
Delegate William Ritchie of Ne
braska took the floor to announce
that the Florida Senator had agreed
to carry the banner for the liberals
who previously had been plugging
for Gen. Eisenhower or Justice
Douglas.
He revealed that the Pepper
candidacy is in the hands of a com
mittee of seven, chosen from a
larger group of delegates in 20
States. In addition to himself, Mr.
Ritchie named them as follows:
Harry Carlson of New Hampshire;
• William W. Shayne of Florida; Rob
ert George of Kansas; August
Scholle of Michigan; Joseph De
Silva of California, and Joseph M.
Baird of New York.
Mr. Ritchie said more than 100
delegates hgd authorized this small
committee to go forward.
Explains Late Boom.
Explaining the lateness of the
boom, he pointed out that many
delegates were on trains en route
to Philadelphia when the Eisen-i
hower and Douglas movements col
lapsed. In spite of the late begin
ning. he insisted, "We re not offer
ing Pepper as a sacrifice.”
“I’m certain the nomination of
Truman will not occur on the first
ballot—if ever,” Mr. Ritchie added.
There was a stir in the rear of
the crowd, and some one shouted,
"here comes the Senator now!”
Accompanied by his attractive
wife, the Florida Senator pushed
bis way up to the desk while his
small but loyal band of followers
shouted and clapped.
Before he could say a word, the
photographic flash bulbs began to
pop, and Mrs. Pepper leaned over
and kissed her husband’s cheek.
“My first words,” he began, “are
an expression of deep and profound
gratitude to Mr. Ritchie and the
committee that recommended I
lead this fight. God being my
helper, I'll try to be worthy."
After expressing his regret that
Gen. Eisenhower had declined to
run. Senator Pepper said that since
the general’s withdrawal, delegates
have been looking "for a man who
would follow the principles of
Franklin D. Roosevelt.”
In an obvious appeal to the lovai
adherents of the New Deal, the
Florida Senator went on:
’ Unfortunately, this is the first
convention in 16 years without the
dominant voice and figure of Frank
lin D. Roosevelt, and there is a feel
ing of moral let-down—a feeling
that we have forsaken the aims and
ideals of F.D.R. they (the delegates);
have seen the money—changers
creep back into the temple.”
Senator Pepper then proceeded to
outline his position, along lines de
signed to attract all of the widely
divergent groups he would need to
win.
He began by repudiating Com
munism, and declaring that “I ap
peal for no ism but Americanism.”
"I would respect the Constitution
and the dignity of every individual,
and try to achieve the first hope of
all Americans—an honorable peace.
On those principles I shall seek the
support of delegates. This is not
gesture. This is a fight. I believe
we can make it a winning fight.”
Questioned by Reporters.
When he had finished, reporters
began to ply him with questions, j
and the first query was, “how many j
votes do you think you will get in ;
the South?”
Senator Pepper said he does not |
know. He admitted that, in his own
Florida delegation, he is only sure;
of 6*2 votes, about a third of the
delegation.
“I do wish to make it clear." he
added, “that I’m appealing to the
liberal sentiment in this conven
tion.”
Asked where he stands on the
controversial civil rights issue, which
divides the Northern and Southern
wings of the party. Senator Pepper i
repeated his phrase about believing
in the Constitution, and said that
“as President I would try to enforce
it with regard to recognizing the
dignity of every individual.”
The significance of this phrase is
that Southern opponents have
questioned the constitutionality of
some of the Federal laws advocated
by Northerners to protect the po
litical and economic rights of Ne
groes.
Senator Pepper went on to ex
plain that he believes in civil rights;
"in accordance with the Constitu- j
tion,” but not as a political issue
or football to be used in a way that:
ignores the practical considerations
involved.
Backs States Bights V iew.
He also indicated he was sympa
thetic to the States' rights view on
control of tidelands—another issue
which appeals to Couthem conser
vatives. The Truman administra
tion obtained a decision from the
Supreme Court, upholding the par
amount right of the Federal Gov
ernment to control these oil-rich
tidelands.
Then a reporter asked Senator
Pepper where he stood on the spe
cific civil rights program of Presi
dent Truman.
"I do not propose to let any one|
else cut the cloth for my suit,” Sen
ator Pepper replied. He said he]
thought there has been "bungling in,
this matter,” and added, ”1 would,
devise my own program.”
"Then you mean you believe the
Truman program was a snare and a
delusion?” a newsman persisted.
"That's what it amounted to,” the
Senator replied.
Senator Pepper agreed with Mr.
Pitchie that in his opinion no can
didate would be nominated on the
first ballot. To another question, he
*aid he would support the nominee
of the Democratic convention if he
doet not win himself.
/• '■
PHILADELPHIA.—SENATOR PEPPER ADDRESSES FLORIDA MEETING—Senator Pepper (stand
ing. right) of Florida, who has said he will run against President Truman for the Democratic,
nomination, as he addressed a meeting of Florida delegates last night. —AP Wirephoto.
I_■ ♦ ■ ■■■-—— ------
Democrats Lack Signal Caller
To Bring Order to Their Ranks
By Hal Boyfe
Associated Press Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA. July 12.—The
golden voice is gone.
That was the paramount fact as
the Democratic convention opened
here toda>v like a football team
starting a game with four men try
ing to play quarterback.
The great signal caller is dead.
There is no one here to say “my
friends'’ ^ind melt the divergent
animosities of the Democratic Party
in the brotherhood of political loy
alty.
You have to have a hero—or sev
eral heroes. And none has come
here yet.
In the opening hour of its fifth
straight quadrennial bid for power
the historic Democratic Party is
as split apart as the quarreling
would-be heirs to a rich mans
legacy.
What is missing here is the vast
personality, the unifying magic of
the last leader, Franklin D. Roose
velt.
There Is no doubt among most
delegates here that the inheritor of
his mantle. Harry Truman, will be
nominated to lead the party.
But they are preparing to nom
inate him in an unhappy atmos
phere of revqlt over an internal
problem affecting one-tenth of the
American population—the Negro
citizens.
Outweighs Even Victory.
This subject outweights the high
cost of living, the world crisis, or
any other problem^facing the Nation
as far as the delegates are concerned
at this point.
It outweighs even the prospects
of victory in November. In two days
here I have heard no delegate even
bring up the topic in an optimistic
vein. «
There is a great contrast between
this convention and the Republi
can Convention here last month.
The G.O.P. gathering was fea
tured by an exciting clash of per
sonalities. Gov. Dewey, Senator
Taft, and Harold S. Stassen were
present and contending vigorously
for the nomination. So were a num
ber of dark horses.
That convention was built around
the competition of men. This con
vention so far has been an agry
conflict of principles—and principles
are never as colorful as people.
Tne Republican convention opened
in an amosphere of hope and horse
trading. The Democratic conven
tion has started in a fog of sectional
recriminations and bitterness.
No Potential Hero.
There is no hero or potential hero
yet on the scene. There is little
parading or open enthusiasm for the
leadei they know they will pick—
President Truman. There are more
arguments than there are cheers.
This is the surface picture today
as the Democrats meet to organize,
after nearly 16 years in power,
against a resurgent Republican
Party.
And many delegates say:
“If Roosevelt were alive-"
As an elevator operator in the
headquarters hotel said:
“This isn’t a convention—it's more
like a wake.”
But this is July. The donkey may
be a different animal in November.
He’ll have to be to make it five in a
row, something he's never done since
the elephant was born.
Fires Raging Unchecked
In Forest of Isle Royale
By th« Associated Press
HOUGHTON. Mich.. July 12.—
Fire raged unchecked today through
the virgin forest of Isle Royale, in
Lake Superior,
The blaze, apparently caused by
lightning and discovered last Satur
day, has burned through 1,100 acres
of woods in the vicinity of Lake
Desore.
Starting near the southeast corner
of Lake Desore, it was moving in a
southeasterly direction toward Lake
Siskiwit, where firefighters have
their headquarters.
Tinder-dry pine needles which
carpet the forest floor provided
ready fuel for the flames. From
this base they leaped to the branches
of the beautiful stand of Norway
and white pine, racing onward in a
mighty “crown fire."
More than 100 men were fighting
the flames this morning. Another
50 were en route by boat from
Houghton. Planes were flying others
in from Ely and Grand Marais,
Minn.
Venezuela President Plans
New Orleans Tour Today
|y the Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS, July 12.—The
President of Venezuela planned an
inspection today of the port where
the intefciational merchant fleet of
Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador
was born.
’A boat ride along New Orlean's
13-mile waterfront was the first
item on a busy day’s program for
Romulo Gallegos, the Venezuelan
chief executive, who arrived here
yesterday on the last lap of a good
will tour of the United States.
It was here 14 months ago that
the first three vessels of Flota Mer
cante Grancolombiana. S.A. — the
Great-Colombian Merchant Fleet,
a co-operative venture of the three
countries—assembled and sailed for
the Caribbean.
The ships had been purchased in
the United States and outfitted at
Gulf ports.
Douglas
'Continued From First Page.'_
a thing happen to him without
feeling grateful and humble.
I believe that is the privilege of
Americans to seek out for nigh of
fice those in whom they put great
trust and confidence, whether or
not such persons seek the office.
Yet I feel deeply that my greatest
service to the Nation at the present
time is to remain on the Supreme
Court. I have reached that con
clusion With greatest respect for
the judgment of those who think
otherwise.
Pleases Oregon Delegation.
“And so I say definitely and
finally that I am not available for
any public office."
The decision releases Oregon's
delegation to the convention from
its pledge to support Justice Douglas
for the vice presidential nomination.
Justice Douglas said he would get in
contact with the Oregon delegation
to inform them.
The jurist, vacationing in the Pa
cific Northwest, expects to spend
the next three days either here or
at Oysterville. His son may have
to undergo a tonsillectomy here.
Justice Douglas expects to reach |
Pendleton. Oreg . on July 15 to leave I
for the Order of the Antelope fun
fest in Southeastern Oregon. I
Negroes to Appeal Seating
Of South Carolina Group
By the Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA, July 12.—The
■South Carolina delegation, in
structed to oppose the nomination
;of President Truman, took its seats
today in the Democratic Conven
tion but braced for a Negro protest
in the Credentials Committee.
South Carolina Progressive (Ne
gro) Democratic Party leaders said
they will take the contest they lost
Saturday before the National Com
I mittee to the credentials group.
“Our fight is not over,” Progres
sive Party Chairman John H. Mc
Cray, Columbia Negro newspaper
editor, said. He added that Negro
delegates are angered over the Na
tional Committee’s action and that
'“a lot" will be said.
Mr. McCray and A. J. Clement,
! Charleston Negro insurance man,
^ brought a 15-member delegation.
; here Saturday night The group’s
I claim to seats is on the ground that
| Negroes did not participate in South
Carolina precinct meetings and
county and State conventions.
The National Committee adopted
a motion of Senator Johnston of
South Carolina to throw out the
contest. Senator Johnston was sup
ported by other' Southern members (
of the committee and by Frank M.1
McHale of Indiana, named by Na- j
, tional Committee Chairman J. How
ard McGrath as chairman of a sub
committee to hear the contest.
Communist Attack Reported
On Malayan Coal Fields
By the Associated Press
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaya. July
12—Police said Communists at
tacked the Batu Arang coal fields,
26 miles outside Kuala Lumpur,
j today and wounded five Chinese
; miners.
Authorities said all communica- j
tions have been cut to the mine.
Malaya’s only coal source. They
said police and troops are bing
rushed to the area.
Malayan police raided an aban- i
doned tin mine near Kuala Lumpur i
! yesterday. They said they killed
three Chinese and arested 15 sus
pected insurgents.
Four suspects have been killed i
and 19 arrested in Kuala Lumpur
over the week end.
On Singapore Island police raided!
Pasir Panjang village and ques
tioned fore than 200 persons.
children's heads dean-safely.
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Only 50c. Al druggMts.
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^Tl2TABLETS^ICK
Carole Landis Last Will
To Be Disclosed Today
By tht Associated Press
LOS ANGELES, July 12.—The
family of Carole Landis planned to
gather today for the reading of the
actress' last known will.
Attorney Jerry Giesler was to read
the document, signed by the blond
film star June 22. 1944. He indicated
that it will be legally accepted as
the expression of Miss Landis’ last
wishes, cryptically jotted down in
her suicide note. She took her life
a week ago at her home.
The actress’ mother, Mrs. Clara
Landis, to whom that last note was
\yritten, is believed to be the chief
beneficiary of the will.
No valuation has yet been placed
on the estate, but Mr. Giesler indi
cated it may be less than S100.000.
Vice President Choice
Only Unsettled Issue
For Illinois Delegation
■y the Associated Pros*
PHILADELPHIA, July 12.—Illi
nois delegates to the convention
appear united today on about every
thing except who should be the vice
presidential nominee.
Top Chicago leaders want Justice
Douglas. Many downstaters said
they prefer Senator Barkley of Ken
tucky.
The issue didn't pop up last night
at a harmonious two-hour caucus
in which ex-Mayor Edward J. Kelly
of Chicago gaveled through agree
ments on everything else brought
up.
Mayor Martin H. Kennelly wa6
the pnly dissenter—and he got away
with it. He turned down a chance
to get the 60 Illinois votes as a
favorite son for both President and
Vice President.
Among these unanimous voice vote
decisions were these:
All 60 votes go to President Tru
man on the first ballot.
Mr. Kelly was re-elected national
committeeman.
All the delegation officers picked
by the Kelly-Arvey-Kells combina
tion were elected as slated.
To Call for Taft Act Repeal.
The delegation, at the suggestion
of Chicago CIO leaders, will back
platform planks upholding Mr. Tru
man's entire civil rights program
and calling for repeal of the Taft
Hartley Labor Act.
Jacob M. Arvey, Cook County
Chairman, and Paul M. Douglas, the
Senate nominee, renounced their
earlier backing of Gen. Eisenhower
and said they will stump from
Chicago to Cairo for Harry S. Tru
man.
Mr. Douglas, who a short time
earlier told a reporter the switch is
“painful,” told the caucus that he’s
already made 215 campaign speeches
“but I’ll make 800 more for the
whole ticket—from President down
to sheriff.”
After Mr. Arvey got through ex
plaining that he was for Gen. Eisen
hower only because “my conscience
told me so,” former Gov. John
Steele of McLeans boro, Senator
Lucas, Mr. Kelly and others pro
claimed that they had always been
for Mr. Truman.
Urged to “Shake Off Gloom.”
Mr. Stelle said they had differed
with Mr. Arvey on Gen. Eisenhower
“only in the thought that annulling
our own candidate and grabbing
another would be to annul the
principles of our party.”
Mr. Kelly was joined by Secretary
of State Edward J. Barrett and
Adlai E. Stevenson in advising the;
Illinoisans to “shake off the gloom
about November—we’re going to
win.”
Mr. Barrett said there is “some
despondency among the delegates j
but when November rolls around
therell be an avalanche of votes
for us in Illinois that will equal our
1936 campaign." That was when
the late Henry Homer, last Demo
cratic Governor of Illinois, and
Franklin D. Roosevelt swept the
State.
Hammocks were discovered in
America by Columbus. The Amer
ican Indians called them “hamacs.”
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Wallace Sees Convention
Proving Democrats Useless
By th« Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W. V»„ July 12.—
Henry A. Wallace looks for the Dem
ocratic convention this week to prove
that the party “has outlived its
usefulness.”
The third party candidate pre
dicted yesterday the convention will
make it clear “there are only two
national parties of real significance,
the utterly reactionary Republican
Party and the New Party.”
He called the Democratic Party
‘the instrument of reactionary in
terests whose assignment is to sound
liberal and create. the impression
that there are real party differ
ences.”
Mr. Wallace attended the organ
izing convention of his Progressive
Party in West Virginia. It was held
in the Negro Knights of Pythias
auditorium, which State party lead
ers said was the only suitable hall
for a meeting of different races.
Later, he told 800 listeners at a
public meeting that the “whole
power of the Government through
i the hated Taft-Hartley Act has been
placed at the service of the mine ,
' owners to stop the processes of free
collective bargaining.” .
! The ISO delegates attending the »
Progressive Party convention went *
against advice of national officers
and nominated a gubernatorial can- »
didate. They picked Henry L. Har
vey of Welch, a former mine union
organizer, to be a write-in candidate.
Admiral Griffin to Head
Naval Examining Board
Appointment of Vice * Admiral
Robert M. Gfiffin, 2141 Wyoming
avenue N.W.. as president of the
naval examining board and the
i naval retiring board was announced
by the Navy Department yesterday.
Admiral Griffin has been com
mander of the naval forces in the
Par East. His successor in that
command will be Vice Admiral
Russell S. Berkey, Tulsa, Okla.
The Navy also announced that
Rear Admiral Donald B. Beary,
commander of the 12th Naval Dis
trict and the naval base at San
Francisco, has been given the ad
ditional duty of commander of the
Western Sea Frontier and the
Pacific reserve fleet.
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